sunni3's review
4.0
In this newest volume, The Best Lesbian Erotica of the Year vol 5, queer characters can love, comfort, and move fluidly without apology or judgement. They simply exist.
It is a gift to see a spectrum of genders and sexualities in erotica. Sexsmith puts together writers who bring trans, nonbinary, lesbian, polyamorous, asexual, those with disabilities, and other queer marginalized folx to expose and explore their deepest and darkest desires in one safe space.
Find the rest of this review at https://shianedjacocks.wordpress.com/2020/11/21/the-best-lesbian-erotica-of-the-year-vol-5-edited-by-sinclair-sexsmith/.
It is a gift to see a spectrum of genders and sexualities in erotica. Sexsmith puts together writers who bring trans, nonbinary, lesbian, polyamorous, asexual, those with disabilities, and other queer marginalized folx to expose and explore their deepest and darkest desires in one safe space.
Find the rest of this review at https://shianedjacocks.wordpress.com/2020/11/21/the-best-lesbian-erotica-of-the-year-vol-5-edited-by-sinclair-sexsmith/.
dingokitty14's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bossyfemme's review
4.5
Really appreciated the diversity of stories here - lots of trans-inclusion. Both kinky and not. Nothing so cringy that I couldn't keep going which is hard to accomplish in this genre.
judeinthestars's review
3.0
I read this anthology a while ago but had trouble deciding what to write about it. The thing with anthologies is that the editor needs to find the right balance and I don’t think they did with this one. My problem isn’t with the quality of writing or the pace of the stories, I have no doubt about consent (which is so important to me, as I’ve written before), but I need more balance between pain – physical or other – and pleasure.
I won’t go into details, just highlight some of the stories I liked. I was looking forward to Mary P. Burns’ story, for example, as hers was one of my favourites last year (Leviathan, under the name of Catherine Collinsworth). This year’s, Strand of Pearls, was different but good too. The Summer of Strap-Ons and Sodomy by Rain DeGrey is joyful and exuberant. Max and the Things I Couldn’t Say by Heart is surprisingly tender.
Erotica is really a matter of tastes, so what didn’t work for me might work for you. But I need to feel safe to enjoy erotica and I can’t worry about whatever triggers. I like, however, that every year, this anthology explores boundaries and I’m aware we don’t all have the same no-nos. It makes bringing stories together complicated.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I won’t go into details, just highlight some of the stories I liked. I was looking forward to Mary P. Burns’ story, for example, as hers was one of my favourites last year (Leviathan, under the name of Catherine Collinsworth). This year’s, Strand of Pearls, was different but good too. The Summer of Strap-Ons and Sodomy by Rain DeGrey is joyful and exuberant. Max and the Things I Couldn’t Say by Heart is surprisingly tender.
Erotica is really a matter of tastes, so what didn’t work for me might work for you. But I need to feel safe to enjoy erotica and I can’t worry about whatever triggers. I like, however, that every year, this anthology explores boundaries and I’m aware we don’t all have the same no-nos. It makes bringing stories together complicated.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
neurodivengeance's review
4.0
Mostly great - really appreciated the amount of kink & power play in this & especially liked the pieces by Sinclair Sexsmith, Michelle Osgood, June Amelia Rose, Mary P. Burns, Kathleen P. Lamothe & K.J. Drake. The last story by Amy Butcher contains a really bizarre anti-autistic medical model reference though & that was a massive boner killer for me. Not bad enough for me not to give it a high rating overall coz the rest was so good, but can we not position autistics as incapable of feeling when we’re really not? K thx.
[edited to add] The good news is I reached out to Sinclair Sexsmith to share this feedback & they were super receptive & accountable, it’s legit the best apology I’ve ever received for anything. They’ve had this feedback from others too & taken lots of steps to prevent this kind of thing happening in future, which is great. Onwards and upwards :)
[edited to add] The good news is I reached out to Sinclair Sexsmith to share this feedback & they were super receptive & accountable, it’s legit the best apology I’ve ever received for anything. They’ve had this feedback from others too & taken lots of steps to prevent this kind of thing happening in future, which is great. Onwards and upwards :)
phoebesrandoms's review
5.0
This is my second year reviewing Best Lesbian Erotica of the Year published by Cleis Press.What makes this year different from last year’s Volume is the language. The language is different in a way that I actually don’t have words for.
I actually started this anthology differently than I have ever started one. I looked at the Table of Contents at the titles of the stories. (gasp!) I slowly scrolled down and the last title jumped out at me so hard it was smacking me in the face. (laugh)
I love the title of Amy Butcher’s story. I quickly went to the last story of the book and Butcher starts the story dreaming in verse. I have never been that cool. Butcher’s story is funny and an ode to every woman who wants to please their partner or be pleased by them. The lamenting of the different types of toys is comical. I kept chuckling over the different types of labels that Butcher uses.
I then went back to my usual randomly selecting a story and I hit on the most beautiful language in Torrent and Tumult: A Bipolar Romance. June Amelia Rose writes so...and here is where I lose my words. Rose is descriptive and eloquent. There is poetry to the writing and it is about such tough subjects as addiction, mental health, ostracism, loneliness, and submission. Rose shares the pain, but the words are so beautiful that the pictures drawn seem at odds with the suffering. I don’t know if any of that made sense, but Rose’s story hit me in the gut it is so beautiful.
Color me illuminated because I did not know that an asexual story could make me sigh when no fun happens. Nicole Field brings asexuality into a new light for me in Three Options. The sensuality of a kiss is vivid. The importance of a kiss and kissing is lost nowadays (my personal opinion), but Field makes me want to go out and grab someone and kiss them for hours. Field actually makes me ache. Then the limitations of foreplay is such a powerful tool. It enforces the parties to focus and is a great D/s tactic. I don’t see it that often and Field utilizes it brilliantly. I love seeing an orientation that someone would not connect with erotica published.
I loved experiencing Kyla’s first time having intimacy as a woman. Kathleen P. Lamothe also asked a question even I have not heard of before (laugh) - I feel so out-of-date. Now I get the color answer that Kyla gives later.
Sinclair Sexsmith says in the Introduction, “I love "fun.” Sexsmith echoes my thoughts exactly about what fun means to me. Sexsmith also says that idea of this volume is to expand the reader’s thoughts as to what is erotic and what is an erotic experience. For me, one of the major stimulators is words. Sexsmith hopes that we find this volume “delicious”. Sexsmith has succeeded, it is so delicious and I want to get drunk on it...everyday.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
This is a heavily edited review, to read the full review please go to my blog.
I actually started this anthology differently than I have ever started one. I looked at the Table of Contents at the titles of the stories. (gasp!) I slowly scrolled down and the last title jumped out at me so hard it was smacking me in the face. (laugh)
I love the title of Amy Butcher’s story. I quickly went to the last story of the book and Butcher starts the story dreaming in verse. I have never been that cool. Butcher’s story is funny and an ode to every woman who wants to please their partner or be pleased by them. The lamenting of the different types of toys is comical. I kept chuckling over the different types of labels that Butcher uses.
I then went back to my usual randomly selecting a story and I hit on the most beautiful language in Torrent and Tumult: A Bipolar Romance. June Amelia Rose writes so...and here is where I lose my words. Rose is descriptive and eloquent. There is poetry to the writing and it is about such tough subjects as addiction, mental health, ostracism, loneliness, and submission. Rose shares the pain, but the words are so beautiful that the pictures drawn seem at odds with the suffering. I don’t know if any of that made sense, but Rose’s story hit me in the gut it is so beautiful.
Color me illuminated because I did not know that an asexual story could make me sigh when no fun happens. Nicole Field brings asexuality into a new light for me in Three Options. The sensuality of a kiss is vivid. The importance of a kiss and kissing is lost nowadays (my personal opinion), but Field makes me want to go out and grab someone and kiss them for hours. Field actually makes me ache. Then the limitations of foreplay is such a powerful tool. It enforces the parties to focus and is a great D/s tactic. I don’t see it that often and Field utilizes it brilliantly. I love seeing an orientation that someone would not connect with erotica published.
I loved experiencing Kyla’s first time having intimacy as a woman. Kathleen P. Lamothe also asked a question even I have not heard of before (laugh) - I feel so out-of-date. Now I get the color answer that Kyla gives later.
Sinclair Sexsmith says in the Introduction, “I love "fun.” Sexsmith echoes my thoughts exactly about what fun means to me. Sexsmith also says that idea of this volume is to expand the reader’s thoughts as to what is erotic and what is an erotic experience. For me, one of the major stimulators is words. Sexsmith hopes that we find this volume “delicious”. Sexsmith has succeeded, it is so delicious and I want to get drunk on it...everyday.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
This is a heavily edited review, to read the full review please go to my blog.
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